Rickettsia prowazekii
Principal investigators are responsible for communicating this information to staff working with or around this agent, and for
mitigation of associated risks. This document is not intended to be used as a sole source for diagnosis, medical treatment, or
medical advice. Consult a CSU Authorized Treating Physician for concerns about work related medical conditions.
CONTAINMENT AND SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Containment
 BSL-3 level practices, containment equipment and facilities are required for infectious or potentially infected
materials, animals, or cultures
Special Considerations
 Select Agent
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Disease: Typhus Fever, Epidemic Typhus, louse-borne typhus fever
Transmission: Through ectoparasite bites during feeding or by contamination of bites or wounds with ectoparasite feces; the
primary ectoparasite of concern is the human body louse. Can also be transmitted via aerosol transmission of contaminated
feces, dried ectoparasite tissues, or cultures and tissue homogenates.
Communicability: Person-to-person spread is not documented. Humans can spread the disease to ectoparasites, therefore,
infection could occur through exposure to ectoparasites of infected individuals.
Incubation: 10-14 days
Infectious dose: Less than 10 infectous particles
VIABILITY/INACTIVATION
Inactivation:
 Autoclave sensitive
 1% bleach (500 ppm available sodium hypochlorite) , 70% ethanol, 2% glutaraldehyde
Stability
 Can survive in infected ectoparasite feces for 100 days or more.
MEDICAL
Signs and symptoms:
 One to three days of malaise, then abrupt onset of acute symptoms, including:
o Severe headache and fever
o Muscle and joint pain
o Rash
o Black indented scab at site of bite
o Abdominal pain, diarrhea
o Chills
o Cough
o CNS symptoms include delirium, seizuers, coma, hearing loss
Colorado State University
Page 1 of 3
Environmental Health Services Biosafety Office
Updated 2013
(970) 491-0270
**Disclaimer** This document is for informational purposes ONLY. This document should not be used in lieu of professional medical attention, and medical
professionals should seek appropriate resources for diagnosis and treatment.**
Pre-exposure prophylaxis:
None
Diagnosis:
 PCR test on skin biopsy of rash or bite scab, or EDTA whole blood
 Immunoassays of skin biopsy of rash or bite scab
Treatment
Post-exposure prophylaxis:
 Antimicrobial therapy indicated, early treatment is critical
Treatment of clinical cases:
 Antimicrobial therapy:
o 200 mg doxycycline daily 3-14 days, or 2.2 mg/kg body weight per dose twice daily
WHAT TO DO IF AN EXPOSURE OCCURS
Employees, Graduate Students, Work Study
1. Employee notifies Biosafety (970-491-0270) and/or Occupational Health Program Coordinator (970-420-8172) to
inform where medical attention will be sought and if transportation is needed
 The Principal Investigator/Supervisor must also be notified
2. Employee goes to Emergency Room
3. After the Emergency Room visit, individual fills out the following forms:
 Biosafety Incident report form:
http://www.ehs.colostate.edu/WBiosafety/PDF/IncidentReportForm.pdf
 Workers’ Compensation (within 4 days or as soon as possible):
4.
http://www.ehs.colostate.edu/WWorkComp/Home.aspx
Employee follows up with CSU Authorized Treating Physician
Student Not Paid by CSU
1. Contact supervisor/PI
2. Student or supervisor contact Biosafety (491-0270) or Occupational Health (420-8172) to inform where attention is
being sought, and to arrange transportation if needed
3. Student goes to CSU Health Network (formerly Hartshorn Health Services)
4. After the visit to CSU Health Network, student fills out Biosafety Incident Report form
http://www.ehs.colostate.edu/WBiosafety/PDF/IncidentReportForm.pdf
Volunteers and Visitors
1. Contact supervisor/PI
2. Contact Biosafety (491-0270) or Occupational Health (420-8172) to inform where attention is being sought, and to
arrange transportation if needed
3. Individual goes to their personal physician, or as otherwise directed by their physician
4. Individual fills out Biosafety Incident Report form
http://www.ehs.colostate.edu/WBiosafety/PDF/IncidentReportForm.pdf
Colorado State University
Page 2 of 3
Environmental Health Services Biosafety Office
Updated 2013
(970) 491-0270
**Disclaimer** This document is for informational purposes ONLY. This document should not be used in lieu of professional medical attention, and medical
professionals should seek appropriate resources for diagnosis and treatment.**
REFERENCES

CDC Information: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2012/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-

travel/rickettsial-spotted-and-typhus-fevers-and-related-infections-anaplasmosis-and-ehrlichiosis.htm
CBW website: http://www.cbwinfo.com/Biological/Pathogens/RP.html

Public Health Agency of Canada Data Sheet: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/rickettsia-prowazekiieng.php
CONTENT REVIEW
This document has been reviewed by:
 CSU subject matter expert: Dr. Richard Bowen
Colorado State University
Page 3 of 3
Environmental Health Services Biosafety Office
Updated 2013
(970) 491-0270
**Disclaimer** This document is for informational purposes ONLY. This document should not be used in lieu of professional medical attention, and medical
professionals should seek appropriate resources for diagnosis and treatment.**